New €2 million investment continues to solidify the aviation sector as an emerging industry of the Maltese economy
The establishment of the Safi Aviation Park (SAP), a 240,000 sqm facility designed and dedicated in bringing the aviation cluster closer together, has provided better operative infrastructure to its tenants. Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Businesses Chris Cardona noted how the cumulative effect of these actions has translated in to clear wins for the aviation eco-system in Malta during today's latest announcement of investment in the industry. Medavia Technic, one of SAP's tenants has experienced exponential growth in the last twelve months and has today announced their investment of a further €2 million in its hangars, equipment and tooling.
Medavia Technic is the newly branded technical arm of Mediterranean Aviation Co. Ltd, popularly known as Medavia which has been established in Malta since 1978. Now in its fortieth year operating in Malta, it is able to offer base and line maintenance on the ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft series. This complements an already wide range of regional turbo-prop aircraft approvals.
The company joins a vibrant prominent cluster with companies such as Lufthansa Technik, SR Technics, Medavia, Aeromaritime, DC Aviation, Air X, Aviation Cosmetics, Comlux, Gulf Helicopters and Simliner Malta Aviation Centre calling Malta home, with operations varying from maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO, for both fixed wing and rotary aircraft), flight training including flight simulation, component manufacture, R&D and innovation on unmanned aerial vehicles and ICT for the aviation industry.
Minister Cardona pledged the Government's continued commitment to the industry, most recently backed by direct infrastructural investment for specialised industrial areas, such as that of the Safi Aviation Park, designed to provide secure airside facilities for the industry, particularly within the MRO sector.
The skills and readiness of our workforce to take on new opportunities in such a developing and emerging sector is crucial. Medavia has been a long-time collaborator of the national educational institutions, mainly MCAST, to provide tailor-made courses central in encouraging young people to enrol for courses which provide the necessary training in various areas related to aviation. Simultaneously, the Institute for Aerospace Technologies within the University of Malta is now offering the opportunity for students to specialise within the related fields of avionics, air traffic control, as well as aircraft maintenance.
Minister Cardona said, "Malta has all the right ingredients as a centre of business and aviation, and the future looks bright thanks to the resilience and innovation of our local players."
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